So Chelsea are through to the Champions League quarter finals for the 5th time in 7 years with a comprehensive win over Copenhagen last night. While the tie didn’t have as many goals as people expected, it did give the expected result. Chelsea scored a blank last night but their play was attacking, slick and the looking of a Chelsea of old.
They still feel they can claw back the 9 points they trail United in the league, but maybe the Champions League is what they really want this season. Carlo Ancelotti came out today with a defiant message to his rivals: “The team is strong enough to win it,” said Ancelotti, whose side appear to be over a mid-season loss of form. “If we play to 100%, we can make the final stages. I see my team fresh and we’re in a good moment. But we can improve a lot”. So with this in mind I thought it would be wise to take a closer look at the possibility of Chelsea winning the European crown for the first time and to give 5 reasons why it is possible.
Carlo Ancelotti
The Italian has won the trophy twice as a player and twice as a manager, knowing what it takes to win the trophy. It could quite easily have been a third had Liverpool not staged a freakish comeback in Istanbul. The Chelsea manager has stated it is his favourite trophy and would love to get his hands on it once again having not won it since 2007.
He will also be eager to out do Jose Mourinho by winning the trophy for Chelsea and becoming their greatest manager. Ancelotti went out to Mourinho’s side last year and perhaps has a point to prove with the Quarter Final draw approaching on Friday.
Goal Threat
Chelsea are simply spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a forward line that could consist of Torres, Drogba and Anelka. While the Spaniard has failed to find the net for his new club it is only a matter of time.
He combined well with Anelka in the first leg in Denmark showing glimpse’s of a future partnership. Meanwhile Drogba and Anelka showed time and time again their ability to pick out a pass out for each other last night. This strike force has the potential to be the best in the world should it be able to combine effectively and with the resurgence of Frank Lampard after an injury hit season, Chelsea have the attacking threats to trouble any defence
[bet_365 type=’odds’ size=’300′ af_code=’365_050711′]
League Form
While it maybe true that fighting on two fronts will be harder on the Chelsea squad there is no doubt that a resurgence in their league form has given them their confidence back. Although a disappointing defeat at home to Liverpool, followed by a draw at Fulham Chelsea managed to record a significant victory against Manchester United to keep their title challenge alive.
If they can string along a few more results together starting with a win against Manchester City on Sunday than their confidence will be high, coupled with the fact they have a squad that is almost at 100% available they could have strong run in for the rest of the season. United on the other hand only have 4 fit defenders at this present time.
Continued Failure to Reach the Promise Land
It is well documented that Chelsea have never won the top European Trophy with their closet point being in the 2008 final with that infamous John Terry penalty miss. Last season they were undone by Mourinho, the year before that by some extremely dodgy officiating during a semi with Barcelona.
With the final set to be in Wembley is it written in the stars for it to be Chelsea’s year? I am sure Spurs will have something to say about that with their constantly improving performances in the competition.
Last Opportunity
Chelsea’s squad has is set for an overhaul this season with the possible exits of many players over 30. Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda to name but a few who could be heading for a summer exit.
With this in mind this it could be some of the player’s last chance to win the competition. Combine this with the hunger of new arrivals to show what they can do in the blue shirt than Chelsea has a squad that is still hungry for success.
[bet_365 type='generic' size='468' af_code='365_050711']
By Richard Field for the Transfer Tavern – view the original article HERE
